Description
Succulent Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf brings Italian comfort to classic American dinner tables with its irresistible blend of ground chicken and savory cheese. Home cooks discover a mouthwatering twist on traditional meatloaf that delivers rich flavor and satisfying texture in one delightful dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground chicken
Breadcrumbs and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasonings and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) black pepper
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet and heat the oven to 375°F for optimal cooking conditions.
- Combine ground chicken with breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl, gently blending ingredients until just incorporated to prevent overworking the meat.
- Carefully shape the meat mixture into a uniform loaf on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Bake the meatloaf for 35-40 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 160°F, which guarantees safe and thorough cooking.
- Remove from oven and generously spread marinara sauce across the surface, creating a flavorful base layer.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the marinara-covered meatloaf, allowing for complete coverage.
- Create a crispy topping by mixing panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter, then distribute the mixture uniformly over the cheese layer.
- Return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and topping turns golden brown, with an optional 2-3 minute broil for extra crispiness.
- Allow the meatloaf to rest for 5-10 minutes, which helps settle juices and makes slicing easier, then serve with additional marinara sauce if desired.
Notes
- Ensure ground chicken is fresh and not too lean to maintain moisture and prevent dryness in the meatloaf.
- Add grated zucchini or finely chopped spinach for extra nutrition and to keep the meatloaf tender and juicy.
- For a gluten-free version, swap Italian breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to maintain the texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg